Jose Mourinho: Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses still have a Chelsea future

Jose Mourinho has told Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses they are part of his plans at Chelsea despite sending them out on loan.

Lukaku and Moses both completed surprise moves to Everton and Liverpool respectively on the final day of the transfer window.

The duo enjoyed strong pre-seasons but Lukaku has made just three substitute appearances since the start of the new campaign while Moses has not been named in any first-team squad.

The arrivals of Samuel Eto’o and Willian also appear to have further undermined their chances.

Mourinho said: “Of course in the last day there are always things to do and people to leave because we have to think about us, as a team, as a group and as a club.

“But we have also to think about the players individually, what is the best for them and what is the best for us in terms of the future. We were more than happy to keep Moses and Lukaku but we decided that it’s better for the club and the future of the players if they go on loan.

“It is important for Lukaku. We have Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. He would have had chances to play but it’s another thing to play basically every weekend.”

Mourinho is relieved the transfer window is finally closed. The Portuguese has had to respond to constant speculation linking David Luiz and Juan Mata with moves away from Stamford Bridge, while he made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

Speaking about the nature of Chelsea’s dealings in the market, he added: “For us, everything was done properly and calmly. It is now time for every one of us to stop thinking about selling and buying and who is coming and who is leaving.”